- Unofficially Shoptalk
- Posts
- What we are looking forward to at Shoptalk Fall
What we are looking forward to at Shoptalk Fall
Not just keynotes - here’s what’s really catching our eye.
Zihan Lyu
September 14, 2025
Hi there,
Shoptalk Fall is just days away, and the energy in Chicago’s retail scene is already building. This year’s agenda goes far beyond mainstage keynotes, inviting attendees into store tours, hands-on strategy sessions, and conversations with leaders shaping what comes next for commerce.
👟 Shopwalks (Sep 17th): The Insider’s Tour of Chicago Retail
Shopwalks are one of Shoptalk Fall’s most unique experiences, and they’re not about sitting in a ballroom. These guided, 45-minute tours take a small group of retail and brand leaders inside Chicago’s most talked-about stores for a closer look at what’s working in physical retail.
This year’s lineup includes Wayfair’s immersive showroom, Patagonia’s sustainability-first Fulton Market location, Hotel Chocolat’s debut US store, and CAMP’s hidden “magic door” experience. Each stop offers a chance to see how these brands blend experience, design, and commerce strategy in real life - and to hear directly from the teams behind them.
Whether you’re thinking about store formats, community engagement, or experiential retail strategy, Shopwalks offer a live case study of how leading brands are building for the next era of retail.
Brand leaders, want to share how your brand is reimagining offline space to engage customers? The ClickZ team will be on the ground at Shoptalk Fall capturing insights and interviews with the retailers setting the bar.
👩💼 Meetup for Women: Building the Future of Retail, Together
One of Shoptalk Fall’s most anticipated programs, Meetup for Women brings together women leaders and rising talent across retail to champion gender equality and accelerate career growth.
Expect curated, 1:1 meetings with peers and mentors, exclusive roundtable Tabletalks focused on leadership and career development, and a series of networking opportunities designed to build lasting connections.
And speaking of women shaping the future of retail - Fospha’s Head of Marketing & GTM Strategy, Amelia Garone, will also be at Shoptalk Fall. In a recent conversation with ClickZ, Amelia shared the three topics she’s most excited to explore with peers:
- the disruption of organic and paid search by generative AI
- how brands are measuring performance across fast-growing marketplaces like TikTok Shop and Amazon
- scaling creative and marketing spend in a time when every dollar needs to prove its impact.
@clickz_official @Shoptalk Fall is almost here 👀 We asked Amelia Garone, Head of Marketing & GTM Strategy at Fospha, what’s on her mind heading into Chicag... See more
These themes tie directly to Fospha’s mission: giving marketers full-funnel measurement built for decision-making, not just reporting - helping brands see which channels truly drive incremental growth and profit.
👇 Vale from ClickZ is especially excited to connect with female retail leaders taking part, and to hear how they’re driving change across the industry.
More Experiences We’re Watching
🍽 Tabletalks: Lunch With a Side of Strategy
Tabletalks are 50-minute interactive peer discussions designed for retailers and consumer brand leaders who want to go beyond the mainstage and trade practical insights with peers. Held over lunch, these small-group sessions are one of Shoptalk Fall’s most talked-about experiences - a chance to compare notes, ask candid questions, and walk away with tactical ideas you can put to work immediately.
Your Shoptalk Fall ticket gets you in at no extra cost. The only requirement? Show up ready to share, listen, and learn from some of the industry’s sharpest minds.
📲 Like what you’re seeing?
That’s all for now - but if you’re headed to Shoptalk Fall, remember: some of the best insights won’t be on stage.
The Unofficially Shoptalk Team
Make sure you don’t miss us.
To keep these insights in your main inbox, follow these quick steps:
Gmail:
Mobile: Tap the 3 dots top right → ‘Move to’ → ‘Primary’
Desktop: Drag this email to your ‘Primary’ tab
Apple Mail:
Tap our email at the top → ‘Add to VIPs’Other apps:
Add [email protected] to your address book
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY
Independently Created. Not affiliated with Shoptalk.
Unofficially Shoptalk is a ClickZ Media publication in the Events division